Roadshow: How's this for a 'jerque' on the road?

The first are referred to as the idiots -- basically clueless about what's going on around them and the laws of physics.

Second are the jerques who are skillful drivers whose philosophy is "me first." They tick me off, but the idiots scare me because they are the most dangerous.

Don't get me started on the holier-than-thou road boulders in the carpool lane.

Thom Mayer

A Here is the "Jerque of the Day" from Dan-the-Merc-News-Sports-Guy. He was northbound on Highway 101 in Mountain View recently when he spotted this:

"A guy was: 1) cheating in the carpool lane; 2) tailgating the genuine carpooler in front of him; and 3) yelling into his handheld cellphone."

Said Dan: Let's call that the Jerque Triple Crown.

Q I applaud your campaign to get drivers to use their turn signals. As I think about those causes, one common thread stands out: the demise of common courtesy on our roads. If I was thinking about how my actions affect the other guy, instead of my single-minded goal, I wouldn't behave so selfishly.

Where does the road of being too busy to be courteous lead to? Perhaps the campaign should focus more on stimulating an attitude of courteousness. If I cared more about how my behavior affected others, then maybe I wouldn't cut them off, drive distractedly or run red lights.

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I might even use my turn signal.

John La Galante

San Jose

A Perish the thought!

Q I know it's fun to vent about bad drivers, but the name-calling some of your readers engage in -- jerques, pinhead, idiot -- is counterproductive. Studies show most drivers think they are above average, so they are unlikely to see themselves in a comment directed at "jerques of the day." You don't have to be a bonehead to make a bone-headed maneuver. There but for the grace of Mr. Roadshow go I. Even if it were true that we are all above average, with the number of cars on our busy roads every day, mistakes will be made.

Henry Ruddle

San Jose

A Sad to say, that includes me. Thanks to the fellow on San Carlos Street whom I cut off the other day for graciously accepting my apology as we stopped at a red light.

Q Engaged in a class based on Karen Armstrong's book, "Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life," I committed to myself to write a note to you about "compassionate driving." Believe me, I am no expert at this.

For many years I've been as likely as anyone to yell within my steel and glass cocoon at other drivers who cut me off, talk on cellphones, or demonstrate "me first" driving.

Since reading the book, I've been practicing. Compassion doesn't require me to change what I think good driving is and should be. Having compassion for myself and others does suggest I not react to my own and others' mistakes and thus become a safer driver in the few seconds following a mistake than I would be if I were to react angrily or self-righteously. Compassion does not require one to excuse "bad" behavior, only to walk in the other person's shoes emotionally.

Sometimes that means seeing a driving situation differently than I did at first; or seeing my foolishness in another; or merely looking out for my safety instead of "fixing" on the other's behavior. I am becoming somewhat calmer, and hopefully safer, as a driver. This seems more productive than trying to fix others' driving.

Bill Hilton

Sunnyvale

A With such an attitude, you are a lock for the Roadshow Hall of Fame.

Q I have a surveillance camera installed on my windshield and have seen people tossing garbage out windows, jump across a concrete divider to make a U-turn, cut in and out of carpool lanes, etc. My camera recorded all these people, with their license plates visible. Can my video clips serve as evidence of traffic violations if I send them to law enforcement? Or should I send them?

Henry Wong

San Jose

A Don't bother. A cop needs to witness this type of driving behavior in order to issue a ticket.